European conference on the protection of critical infrastructure

Critical infrastructure protection is at the heart of a new conference which will take place for security system providers and risk managers during February in London

Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Europe has attracted a leading line up of international speakers for the discussion on the future of securing Europe's critical infrastructure, delivering thought provoking presentations on many of the serious critical infrastructure protection, management and security issues and challenges facing the government and industry.

Attacks on critical infrastructure sites are a favoured target for terrorist groups, for good reason. Many offer what is seen by the terrorist as a soft target, that is, maximum effect with minimal chance of interdiction. The potential effects in terms of damage, the hugely detrimental economic impact, disruption of normal daily life and resulting publicity, can far outweigh the terrorist organisations commitment in both manpower and risk.

Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Europe will bring together leading stakeholders from industry, operators, agencies and governments to collaborate on securing Europe. The conference will look at developing existing national or international legal and technical frameworks, integrating good risk management, strategic planning and implementation.

Sir Gerald Howarth MP, Former Minister for International Security Strategy at the Ministry of Defence, UK and Dr. Nigel Brown, Lead for Resilient ICT Strategy, Cabinet Office, UK will deliver high level opening keynote addresses looking at the current climate and future prospects for the security of critical national infrastructure.

The conference programme itself will look at crucial areas for critical infrastructure protection and resilience, from 'Emerging and Future Threats' to 'Modelling, Simulation, Convergence and Standardisation for Improving CIP Solutions', enabling government and industry policy makers and managers to optimise security and disaster planning, by identifying the threats and opportunities for improvement and how European standardisation could assist the industry in enhancing security solutions.

'International and National Agency Co-operation' plays an important role in both how governments and organisations work together to secure critical infrastructure and mitigate potential threats, and how to cooperate and co-ordinate response should and attack, whether man-made or natural disaster occur. Key speakers here include the United Nations; European Commission, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and NATO Operations Division.

The European Commission has adopted a communication on Critical Infrastructure Protection in the fight against terrorism, enhancing European prevention, preparedness and response in the event of terrorist attacks involving critical infrastructures. The European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP) considers measures that will enhance the level of protection of infrastructure against external threats, with the Operator Security Plan for all infrastructures designated as European critical.

The integrity of critical infrastructures and their reliable operation are vital for the well-being of the citizens and the functioning of the economy. The implementation of the EPCIP, under Council Directive 2008/114/EC on the identification and designation of European critical infrastructures and the need to improve their protection, has not been completely successful.

The conference and expo will cover all aspects of critical infrastructure protection from physical and cyber security to resilience planning and implementation.

Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Europe will be held in London on 13th-14th February 2014, with early bird discounts on conference delegate fees available for bookings before 21st January.

Article 196 of the Lisbon Treaty enshrines in law that the Union shall encourage cooperation between Member States in order to improve the effectiveness of systems for preventing and protecting against natural or man-made disasters.

The ever changing nature of threats, whether natural through climate change, or man-made through terrorism activities, either physical or cyber attacks, means the need to continually review and update policies, practices and technologies to meet these demands.

Whether in local or national government, or an operator of national infrastructure, your attendance to Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Europe will ensure you are up-to-date on the lastest issues, policies and challenges facing the security of Europe’s critical national infrastructure (CNI).

You will also gain an insight in to what the future holds for Europe’s, the collaboration and support between member nations required to ensure CNI is protected from future threats and how to better plan, coordinate and manage a disaster.